REMBERING OUR RESIDENTS
The Impact they made in our Hand Up Ministries Community
Why We Honor Our Brothers
At Hand Up Ministries, we are more than residents living under the same roof. We become a family.
Many of us came here during some of the most difficult times in our lives. We arrived carrying different stories, different struggles, and different burdens, but we also came searching for the same things—hope, understanding, friendship, faith, and another chance.
Along the way, we share meals, conversations, laughter, tears, struggles, accomplishments, and everyday moments that bring us closer together. We encourage one another when someone is having a difficult day, celebrate victories together, and remind each other that no one has to walk through life alone.
That is why, when one of our fellow residents passes away, we believe it is important for us to be part of saying goodbye.
Every resident deserves to know that his life mattered
We want his family to know that while he was at Hand Up Ministries, he had people around him who knew his name, cared about him, prayed with him, laughed with him, worked beside him, and considered him a brother.
Some men who come to Hand Up Ministries may feel as though much of the world has forgotten them. We never want one of our brothers to leave this world feeling forgotten.
When a resident passes, we come together to honor the entire person—not simply the difficulties of his past, but the friendships he made, the kindness he showed, the progress he achieved, the lessons he taught us, and the memories he leaves behind.
Saying goodbye together also helps those of us who remain. It gives us an opportunity to remember, to grieve, to pray, to support one another, and to appreciate the time God has given each of us.
Every man who becomes part of Hand Up Ministries leaves something behind. Sometimes it is a story. Sometimes it is a friendship. Sometimes it is a lesson, a laugh, an act of kindness, or simply the memory of someone who sat beside us and understood our journey.
Those memories deserve to be honored
At Hand Up Ministries, we believe that every life has value, every person deserves dignity, and every resident who passes away deserves a proper and loving farewell.
We honor our brothers because they were part of us.
We remember them because their lives mattered.
And we stand together so that no resident of Hand Up Ministries is ever forgotten.
Hand Up Ministries, Inc.
“Where Hope Becomes Home.”
The Impact they made in our community
A Farewell to James Benbury
From the Residents of Hand Up Ministries
❦
To the Family of James Benbury,
With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to our friend and brother, James Benbury.
James was more than a resident of Hand Up Ministries. He was part of our family. We shared meals, conversations, laughter, difficult days, hopeful days, and the journey of rebuilding life together. His presence became part of the everyday life of our ministry, and his absence will be deeply felt.
Each person who comes through the doors of Hand Up Ministries brings a story, a struggle, a hope, and a purpose. James brought his own unique spirit into our lives, and we are grateful that, for a season, our paths were allowed to cross.
To James' family, please know that he was not alone. He was surrounded by men who understood that life is not always easy, that everyone deserves another chance, and that sometimes the greatest gift we can give one another is simply to stand beside each other.
We will remember James not only for where his journey began, but for the man we came to know, the memories he leaves behind, and the place he will always have in the Hand Up Ministries family.
Although today we say farewell, our faith reminds us that death is not the end. We trust that James has now found a peace greater than anything this world could offer.
May God comfort his family, surround you with His love, and give you strength in the days ahead.
James, thank you for being part of our lives.
You will be remembered
You will be missed
And you will always be one of us
Rest peacefully, our brother James
With love, respect, and prayers,
The Residents of Hand Up Ministries, Inc.
Special Thank You to Ray Riddle for his wonderful words on behalf of Hand Up Ministries residents, friends of James and his family, in leading the Farewell to James Benbury and his family.
A thank you to Danny for filming and audio, the Farewell to James Benbury on behalf of Hand Up Ministries
Sabrina Benbury Villegas Words of Gratitude
First I’d like to say what a blessing Hand Up Ministries was to my brother Mr. James L. Benbury, who recently passed after 10 years residency.
The love, concern, compassion and help I received during this season of loss is unprecedented.
Mr Billy Landry (assistant Manager) was an outstanding host and strength to myself and son as we travelled from California to take care of my brother’s property. Mr. Billy made us feel at ease and comforted as well as went out of his way to assist us in moving through the difficult task of sorting through my brothers personal belongings ( of which he had already organized and packed up). Billy made an unbearable situation of grief bearable.
We lost a dear family member, but gained a friend for life in Billy. I'd like to personally thank him for truly and genuinely caring for us in a way that made it easier.
Hands Up Ministries is Blessed to have Mr. Landry on board to guide and direct a successful program to reform men to useful members of society.
Thanks again and God Bless.
Sabrina Benbury Villegas